14
House Building Account and that of DavidTaylor in Dr. Hutchison's Patient Ledger6 October 1836
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
15
Dr. Hutchison contemplated a move to Toronto in the mid-1830s due to the potential to improve his financial situation in a larger centre. However, he had a very large practice in the Peterborough area and when his patients heard that he planned to move away they banded together to convince him to stay. According to local lore, the community asked Dr. Hutchison what it would take to keep him in Peterborough. One thing he said he required was a larger home with better living conditions.Stone was being quarried locally for several new building projects, so the community decided to build the good doctor a stone house on Brock Street.
Doctor Hutchison purchased the land and some of the building materials. Many of his patients traded their services in exchange for his care, while others in the community donated their time and materials to help complete the house.
John and Martha Hutchison moved into their new home with their five boys in March 1837. A year later their sixth son, Ralph Burton, was born.
16
Sketch of what Hutchison House looked like in 183720th Century, Circa 1998
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
17
Ralph Burton Hutchison19th Century, Circa 1860
Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
18
Court of Requests signed by Dr. Hutchison January 18th, 183118 January 1831
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
19
January Court of Requests back page18 January 1831
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Htuchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
20
Court of Requests signed by Dr. Hutchison June 28th, 183128 June 1831
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
21
June Court of Requests back page28 June 1831
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
22
Dr. Hutchison's Certificate as surgeon to the 7th Provincial Battalion10 April 1839
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
23
Sketch of St. Johns Church in Peterborough, by Miss Faulkner19th Century, Circa 1835
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Peterborough Museum and Archives, PG4-24
24
Interior of John's House by Anne Langton19th Century, Circa 1837
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:F1007-8-4-20, Archives of Ontario
25
Dr. Hutchison was very involved in his community. In addition to his busy practice he held several appointments. He served as Justice of the Peace, Coroner, and Surgeon to the 7th Provisional Battalion of Peterborough (1838). He was also a member of the Board of Surgeons in the Newcastle District, responsible for examining claimants for pensions and granting certificates to those found to be disabled as a consequence of wounds or other injuries received while in service in the Upper Canadian Rebellion (1837) or in the war with the United States (1840). In 1844 he became the Medical Attendant of the Mississaugas located on reservations at Rice Lake and Mud Lake (Curve Lake).When the Presbyterian Church was founded in 1834 in Peterborough Dr. Hutchison became one of the first Elders. The next year he was unanimously elected to represent the Session in the Synod and Presbytery for that year. Minutes of the Session meetings for the next couple of years record his being censured for negligence in attending public worship and finally, the acceptance of his resignation as Elder. Apparently the Presbyterians also disapproved of him allowing volunteers to work on the building of his house on the Sabbath. Eight years later in 1845, Sandford Fleming writes that the doctor has a pew at the St. John's Evangelist Episcopal Church.
26
Otonabee River at Peterboro, by Anne Langton19th Century, Circa 1837
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:F1077-8-1-4-15, Archives of Ontario
27
Sketch of Peterborough, by Caddy19th Century, Circa 1839
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:95-1008, Trent University Archives
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